Captain James Cook (1728-1779) is best known for his three voyages to the Pacific (1768-71; 1772-75; and 1776-79). His discoveries radically changed the western understanding of the world in the late 18th century. He was the first to circumnavigate and chart New Zealand and provided the earliest European accounts of exploration along the eastern coast of Australia and the Hawaiian Islands. On February 14th, 1779, he was killed on Hawaii after attempting to kidnap the chief of the island.

Many contemporary accounts of Cook’s voyages, including charts and engravings, appeared in the late 18th century. The first official account of Cook’s first voyage was published in 1773 by John Hawkesworth in Volumes II and III of An Account of the Voyages Undertaken by the Order of His Present Majesty for Making Discoveries in the Southern Hemisphere... William Strahan and Thomas Cadell published the first official accounts of the second and third voyages in 1777 and 1784. Accounts of his exploration were subsequently translated into French, German, and Dutch.

A. Chart of Discoveries Made in the South Pacific Ocean in His Majesty's Ship Resolution Under the Command of Captain Cook, from "A Voyage Towards the South Pole," dated 1777 (18.5 x 14.3"). This chart shows the track of Cook's ship Resolution during his second voyage from July 16 to September 28th, 1774, sailing around the islands of New Hebrides and New Caledonia. A fleur-de-lis orients north to the right of the map. Engraved by W. Palmer and published by William Strahan and Thomas Cadell. References: Shirley (BL Atlases) G.COOK-1a #9. Condition: Issued folding, now flattened, with light soiling and archival repairs to several short fold separations.

B. Matavia Bay in Otaheite [on sheet with] Ohamaneno Harbour in Ulietea [and] Owharre Harbour in Huaheine [and] Oopoa Harbour in Ulietea, from "An Account of the Voyages…in the Southern Hemisphere...," published 1773 (13.8 x 8.5"). Four well engraved charts on one sheet that show four protected bays on the islands of Otahiti (Tahiti), Ulietea, and d'Huaheine, which were explored by Captain Cook on his first voyage. Each chart includes a compass rose. References: Shirley (BL Atlases) G.HAWK-1a #20. Condition: On paper with a fleur-de-lis watermark, light soiling, and minor toning along the centerfold.

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Condition: B+

See description above for additional details.